How to Take Off Your Makeup, According to Broadway’s Leading Ladies

When it comes to makeup, there’s only one truly universal rule: Eventually, it must all be washed off. And as for choosing an appropriate remover—gentle yet powerful enough to erase the toughest of waterproof mascaras—who better to ask for advice than Broadway actresses? After all, they spend their nights coated in impenetrable stage makeup, singing and dancing for hours in sweat-proof foundation; cheek-sculpting blush; and, often, eye-opening false lashes, all of which have to be bold enough to be visible from the last row in the house. These leading ladies know how to take it all off post-performance while still keeping their skin hydrated and ready for the next day’s curtain call.

With the Tony Awards this Sunday, cast members from Frozen, The Band's Visit, Once On This Island and more share the best makeup removers out there right now.

It's safe to say actress Jessie Mueller, with Tony nods for her work in Beautiful and Waitress and now this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, knows a thing or two about stage makeup—and how to get it off. “I use Lancôme's eye makeup remover because it's really gentle," she says. "Since I have very sensitive skin, I've had problems with other formulas, but this one has been a dream.”

To be a teenager on Broadway is an incredible gift, but that doesn't mean it's not hard on your already temperamental skin. That's why Hailey Kilgore sticks to her tried and true drugstore classics: "After every show I use Pond's cold cream to remove my face makeup, then I use Dickinson Witch Hazel toner.

“I have tried everything, but I’ve found the most gentle and effective eye makeup remover is plain-jane baby oil," says Canadian actress Caissie Levy, whose show Frozen, for which she stars as Elsa the Snow Queen, is nominated for three Tonys. "I use a small amount on a cotton ball and everything comes off like a dream. After cleansing, I follow up with my favorite anti aging serum, Sisley Paris black rose precious face oil."

For Taylor Louderman, playing the leader of The Plastics requires a daily, two-step makeup removal process as soon as the curtain closes. "I use LÓreal make up removing wipes and then wash my face with Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser before bed," she says.

When it comes to makeup removers, Katrina Lenk, who is nominated for her starring role as a sarky Israeli cafe owner named Dina, doesn't mince words: "I use Albolene, good ol’ Albolene. I use a tissue and wipe it off—[it's] the best for removing waterproof ANYTHING."

Fun fact: the film and television actress Lauren Ambrose's only other musical theater credit is a high school performance of Oklahoma!. Almost as surprising? Her go-to face cleansing weapon. "I use a special little washcloth called a magic mitt from Jane Iredale," she says. "It gets all of my makeup off with just warm water."

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